Comparison

Solar Explorer 3D vs Cosmos

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Solar Explorer 3D

Explore the cosmos with a realistic 3D simulation of the Solar System. Witness celestial bodies, spacecraft, and their movements with detailed surface views and mission replays. Ideal for astronomy enthusiasts and educators.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D Solar System simulation
  • Detailed celestial body and spacecraft models
  • Surface exploration and landing views
  • Time acceleration for observing motion
  • Mission replay functionality
  • Real-time astronomical data display
Features
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Embark on an immersive journey through the solar system! Solar Explorer brings the solar system to life with a stunning 3D simulation based on real astronomical data, featuring 60+ celestial bodies and spacecraft. Experience the grandeur and mysteries of the universe in the palm of your hand. Key Features • Realistic Simulation – Explore the orbits of celestial bodies and spacecraft, along with the rotation of planets and moons, in an immersive 3D simulation. • Close-Up View – Observe surfaces and rotation up close, follow moons around their parent planets, and examine detailed 3D spacecraft models. • Size Comparison – Compare the Sun, planets, dwarf planets, and major moons side by side at true scale to appreciate the differences in size between celestial bodies. • Landing View – View a realistic starry sky and the Milky Way from selected surface locations on different celestial bodies. • Time Acceleration – Speed up time or run it backward to explore how celestial bodies and spacecraft move. • Mission Replay – Replay selected space missions with trajectory overviews and close-ups of key events. • Surface Features – Zoom in to discover surface features and place names on the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. Professional-Grade Experience • Planet, moon, and spacecraft positions are calculated using astronomical data and celestial mechanics, with information panel data updated to match the simulation time. • Inspect high-resolution surface textures up close and discover the varied landscapes of planets and moons. • Examine detailed 3D spacecraft models, including all five probes that have traveled beyond Neptune’s orbit, and track their speed and distance from Earth as simulation time changes. • Discover historic landing sites on the Moon, Mars, Venus, and other worlds, with details about landers and surface features. • Landing view uses celestial mechanics and viewing geometry to recreate the local sky and celestial motion, reflecting effects such as the Moon’s tidal locking and Venus’s retrograde rotation. • The Earth-Moon view extends to the Sun-Earth Lagrange points L1 and L2, with orbital paths for space telescopes such as JWST, Roman, and Euclid. • Enjoy detailed planetary rings, the Sun’s corona and glow, and sweeping views of the asteroid belt and Kuiper belt, along with shadows and transits. Intuitive Controls • Tap a celestial body or its name label to enter close-up view, or browse celestial bodies and spacecraft in the catalog. • Drag with one finger to rotate the view, and pinch with two fingers to zoom. • In close-up view, use the location picker to choose a target landing site. On Earth, you can also use your current location. • Adjust the speed and direction of time in orbit view, close-up view, and landing view to observe rotation and orbital motion. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast, an educator, or a curious explorer, Solar Explorer opens a gateway to the mysteries of the universe. Download now and begin your space adventure!

About

Cosmos

Features
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Cosmos traz o universo para o seu bolso, todo dia. • APOD — a imagem astronômica do dia em destaque, com histórico do mês • Recentes — novidades da NASA Image and Video Library • Populares — as imagens mais vistas • Textos em português quando disponíveis, com opção de ver o original • Busca por palavras-chave nas imagens Cosmos não é afiliado à NASA. Imagens, vídeos e textos são de domínio público ou creditados à NASA e aos autores indicados no app. Avisos de nova imagem do dia são opcionais — você escolhe quando ativar.

Screenshots

Solar Explorer 3D4 screens
Cosmos4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cosmos at none against Solar Explorer 3D's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Solar Explorer 3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Cosmos asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Solar Explorer 3D ships an update every 3 weeks, Cosmos fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Solar Explorer 3D versus Cosmos: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSolar Explorer 3DCosmos
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (25 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings25 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size838 MB22 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperShenzhen Qizhuan Technology Co., Ltd.Danilo Moreira da Silva Alves

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Solar Explorer 3D

One-time1
  • Premium Edition$3.99
None

Cosmos

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Solar Explorer 3D free?
Solar Explorer 3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cosmos free?
Cosmos is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Solar Explorer 3D or Cosmos have ads?
Neither Solar Explorer 3D nor Cosmos shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Solar Explorer 3D or Cosmos?
Solar Explorer 3D ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cosmos fortnightly. Most recently, Solar Explorer 3D was updated on October 30, 2026 and Cosmos on October 14, 2026.

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